On August 14, 2013, the St. Louis based biotech corporation, Monsanto Company, released an announcement saying the Mexican government had finally, after months of debate, approved the commercial sale of their patented, genetically modified seeds in Mexico. Agricultural news outlets across the internet reported on the development with little surprise and anti-GMO circles lamented another domino felled by the frankencorn-producing, wheat crop-contaminating, farmer-suing agribusiness giant.

Shortly thereafter, a press release again seemingly from Monsanto denounced the release as a hoax, crediting a group of students and activists called Sin Maíz No Hay Vida (Without Corn There Is No Life). This press release was also written by the activists, offering the true story and countering a claim by Monsanto that they were intent on spreading "misleading information."

In addition to the fake press releases, the group staged a Carnaval del Maíz (Carnival of Corn) in San Cristobál de las Casas, Chiapas, the epicenter of Mexico's Zapatista rebellion. The procession of colorful, painted people embodied the beauty and diversity of the earth, corn, and Mexico herself. They danced and chanted in the the main square, inviting passerby to join in a ballgame representing the people versus Monsanto, and said plainly: Monsanto will not impose their monopoly on life here.

This action is one among many recent mobilizations against Monsanto. For more info on resistance to Monsanto and/or to get involved, please visit the links below: